Ferrari is still missing "pure power" compared to the Mercedes-powered cars despite introducing an engine upgrade at the Italian Grand Prix, according to its Formula 1 team principal, Frederic Vasseur.
Hopes and expectations were high for Ferrari heading into its home race at Monza, with the Italian squad bringing its second and final engine upgrade of the season. However, Ferrari still proved to be slower than the Mercedes-powered cars on the straights, with straight-line speed remaining the Scuderia's biggest weakness.
The Italian Grand Prix turned into a weekend to forget for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton could only finish sixth after a first-lap clash with teammate Charles Leclerc, who crashed out at the end of the second lap. Following a hugely disappointing race on home soil, Vasseur conceded that Ferrari is still lagging behind its main rival in terms of engine performance.
Analysis: The Vicious Cycle Trapping Ferrari
Vasseur explained that when a team lacks pure power, they tend to play with energy deployment to compensate on the straights. However, this compensation creates a negative cycle that hurts overall lap time. "When you have a lack of pure power, then you start to play with deployment, to try to compensate in the straight line," Vasseur said. "But if you deploy more somewhere, for sure you will deploy less somewhere else. Then you are going in the wrong spiral to try to play with this when you are fighting."
He insisted that the issue is not about deployment. Even McLaren experimented with similar strategies on Friday and Saturday morning. "Honestly, it's not about deployment. Even McLaren, they were playing a little bit Friday and Saturday morning. In the end, we are missing pure power," he emphasized.
Regulatory Constraints and Engine Development Process
Ferrari cannot make further upgrades to the hardware of its power unit this season, but it is in line to bring updates in 2027, thanks to being deemed more than four percent behind the benchmark engine. According to the FIA's ADUO rankings system, that benchmark is Red Bull, but it is accepted in the paddock that Mercedes has the best complete power unit package.
Vasseur explained that engine development is an extremely long process, unlike chassis upgrades which can be done quickly. "The process of the engine is mega long. The chassis you can make an upgrade from one day to the other very quickly and come back into the pace," he said. "On the engine, the process is mega long because the lead time of the parts is long and the cost cap is not easy - you have to produce the engine for the season."
He also revealed that Ferrari is not expecting a quick fix from ADUO 1 or ADUO 2, but rather making small steps. "We are not expecting to recover with ADUO 1 or ADUO 2. We are doing small steps. If you make a small step on the engine, keep in mind that behind us, it was hundredths of a second. In terms of position, even if you make a couple of horsepower, it's a good step on the grid. Now we will have a new engine next year. For sure, the target is to catch up as soon as possible," he stated.
Targeting a Strong Comeback in Madrid
Vasseur insisted that Ferrari is heading into this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid determined to bounce back "much stronger" from a "failed" weekend at Monza. "We will come to Madrid with all the energy that we need to do a good result," Vasseur said. "It's true that Monza, for us, even if I spend the week to say that it's a normal race, it's not, as you can imagine. With all the Tifosi, we were expecting to give them something else as a big thank you for the support and the enthusiasm that they have."
The lack of pure power is a major challenge for Ferrari, especially with the new regulations coming in 2026. However, Vasseur stressed that the team will continue to fight and push to close the gap to its competitors.
Baca Juga
Ferrari akui masih kurang tenaga murni dibanding Mercedes meski upgrade mesin di Monza. Vasseur targetkan bangkit di Madrid dan berharap pada mesin baru 2027.
Debut Madring di GP Madrid F1: sirkuit dua wajah dengan tikungan miring La Monumental siap menguji para pembalap. Simak analisis lengkapnya di Sportrik.
Charles Leclerc berisiko kena penalti di GP Madrid setelah kecelakaan di Monza. Posisi Fred Vasseur juga dipertanyakan, sementara Vettel puji regulasi F1 2026.
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